Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-01-06

DGuuFcdTy, by one Oh our mum Ock
| who, though wearing the dressing
gown and the appearance of friend,
we were ready to swear, was none other
than Sothern himself.
In the midst of our peals Of laughter
over this caricature, the whistle of a
train announced the return OF our bag
ge committee, and we sent out two
| OF the sturtlisst from among us, who
| soon returned with a drenched party in
their wake. However, the blazing
hickory logs soon did their work Of
drying off our dripping friends, and the
traps being unpacked, we gathered
once more in the sitting-room with
books, cards and piano, aud so with
talk, and music, and fun, the evening
wore away, and the rain still falling in
gusty sheets outside the doors, we sep
arated for the night, with renewed con-
gratulations to one another, that we
should have found 80 cheerful a biz
vouac, SO gracious host, in this far
away spot.
Separated. did say? Nay. we oplv
drew closer together, rs from the most
unexpected quarters, beds sprang up as
II by magic. More than one piece Of
furniture we discovered "contriyet n
double debt to :pay," and what had
seemed mild, unobtrusie lounge. be.
came cot, c0urtained corner wsa
transformed into b0ud0ir, and when
each was apportioned place. and
silence fell upon the separated company
we were near enough to hear one an.
other breathe, and yet in the privacy Of
separated rooms.
To say that the young folks named
the hedposts, and that the older ones
were musical sleepers. would be but to
tell the usal story of bunking as q
crowd, SO l will respect all such family
secrets, and only describe to you tha
shout that went up from those who
were earliest stirring land these. vol,
may be sure, were the man ON tho
lounge, and the occupant of the hall
recess, sort of tramp-liKe Telling in
cliDing them to "move on.")
The delectahle snow.n ..cries one.
DO look out" calls another; "was
anything ever more lovely than those
hillsV' But as one after another ap-
pears in the CHEEKY sitting-room, it is
with grateful laugh. "We're caught
now, sure enough" said the girls. .noth-
ing 10th to linger where so much good
cheer was provided.
Call council of war;" said our driver
OF the four-in-hand, who stood our
leader in all matters, and regarded ev-
erybody's comfort before his own. "Our
coaching BIDS fair to end in Sleigh"
he said when all were assembled, but
cold a. it Is, the roads are fair, and the
sunshine bright. What say youp
Shall we drive to st. Joe, or 70 by
train?"
There was division Immediately.
Some said "Drive by all MEANS" The
young folks said, ''It will be q glorious
galiop on horseback" J" but others shiv-
cred, and gave as their excuse that the
Reading was planned for that evening.
when our friend, "Lord Dundreary,j
was to appear in various characters,
and to drive home meant to disappoint
his audience and ousrelves into the
bargain.
None of us being proof against this
argument. we agreed to take the train
ut 3 r. NJ. for 81. Joe, aud with q finxl
spread in the hospitable dining room
and good toast about the fire, we
turned our backs OH Thomson,s Valley
Home, leaving disorder and an empty
pleasant recollections and the echo of
Dinah's parting commendation, as a
proof of our gratitude was
tucked in her horny palm, "dat we was
all bawn ladies, fo' sho'."
Yes. we might thank such as Dinah,
but for our hospitable host, who threw
wide open to us his heart and home,
we have nothing which shall repay
his kindness, unless 1t be the warm re-
gard IN which we hold both him and
his, and the grateful memories of his
many attentions in the day when we
were his guests.
The train carrying Us to st. Joe, we
met in the handsome club rooms there,
for our literary treat, in the rendition
by Mr., +. M. Crunden, of some choice
and on the day following.
took train for st. Louis, where, on re.
our novel and varied exp or.
fences, we agreed that there never was
Q more enjoyable coaching party than
that which left us snow-bound in that
cosy valley home. III. r. n.